Lion Bobcat Adventure for 2024

The Lion Bobcat adventure is the first step for Lion Cub Scouts as they start their scouting experience. This adventure is important because it helps new scouts learn about scouting values and how to be part of a group. It’s a fun and interactive way for young scouts to start learning about good character and leadership.

In this adventure, Lion Cub Scouts start to understand the Scout Oath and Scout Law. These are important rules that scouts follow, like being honest, respectful, and helpful. By talking about these rules and doing activities, young scouts learn how to use these values in their daily lives.

During the Lion Bobcat adventure, Lions are encouraged to think about how they can be friendly and do their best every day. They learn why it’s important to be responsible for their actions and how to contribute positively to their group. This helps them grow into leaders who can make good choices.

Overall, the Lion Bobcat adventure is a great way for Lion Cub Scouts to begin their journey in scouting. It teaches them important values through fun activities, helping them become better scouts and people. This adventure sets them up for success in scouting and in life.

Lion Bobcat Adventure Requirements

Lion Bobcat Adventure Requirements

1. Get to know the members of your den.
2. Have your Lion adult partner or den leader read the Scout Law to you. Demonstrate your understanding of being Friendly
3. Share with your Lion adult partner, during a den meeting or at home, a time when you have demonstrated the Cub Scout motto “Do your Best”.
4. At home, with your parent or legal guardian do the activities in the booklet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.”

Resources for the Lion Bobcat Adventure

Getting to Know the Den

Get to know the members of your den.

For requirement 1 of the Lion Bobcat adventure, “Get to know the members of your den,” it’s important to help the Lion Cub Scouts feel comfortable and welcomed. Here are some simple steps you can take as a den leader:

• Start with Introductions: At your first meeting, have each scout share their name, their favorite game, and one thing they like about scouting. This helps everyone start to learn about each other.
• Play Introduction Games: Use fun games that encourage the scouts to interact and talk to each other. Games like Elbow Balloon Pass or Show Me the Truth are good choices because they encourage cooperation and bring on the laughs.
• Pair Them Up: Occasionally pair scouts up for small tasks or activities. Switch partners often so they get to work with everyone in the den.
• Group Discussions: Have short group discussions where scouts can talk about what they enjoyed about a recent activity or what they look forward to in scouting. This allows them to express themselves and listen to others.

Here are some options for fulfilling Lion Bobcat requirement 1:

• Den Doodle
  • The den doodle is a craft project that can be used to track attendance, reward good behavior, and completion of requirements.
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks, pencils, plywood and boards, wood screws, sandpaper, cord, power drill, spray paint, latex paint, paint brush, assorted pony beads
  • indoor, moderate Energy, about 1 week prep
• Den Flag
  • A den flag is a craft that can bring your den together by getting to know everyone’s name and having a symbol that everyone
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks, pencils, wooden dowels, concrete mix, water, aluminum foil, 2 gallon paint bucket, sandpaper, felt, Lion rank patch, twine, teacup hook, black sharpie, white chalk, scissors, fabric glue
  • indoor, low energy, about 1 week prep

• Hand Puppet Introductions
  • Cub Scouts and adult partners make hand puppets that reflect themselves and use the puppets to share about themselves.
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks, pencils, brown paper bags, construction paper, glue sticks, scissors, crayons, googly eyes
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• Lions Talk and Lions Listen
  • The Cub Scout sign is a way to help Cub Scouts learn good manners and communication skills.  
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks, pencils
  • indoor, low energy, minimal prep
• The Wigalo Song
  • Sing the Wigalo Song to get to know everyone’s name. 
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks, pencils
  • indoor, moderate energy, 1 to 3 days prep

By following these steps, you help build a friendly and supportive environment in your den. This makes scouts more comfortable and helps them enjoy their time in scouting.

The Scout Law

Have your Lion adult partner or den leader read the Scout Law to you. Demonstrate your understanding of being Friendly

For requirement 2 of the Lion Bobcat adventure, you’ll focus on the Scout Law and demonstrating the value of being friendly. Here’s a straightforward approach you can use as a den leader:

• Read the Scout Law: Start by reading the Scout Law aloud during a den meeting. Make sure to pause after each point to allow the scouts to absorb the words.
  • A Scout is:
    Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful,
    Friendly, Courteous, Kind,
    Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty,
    Brave, Clean, Reverent.
• Discuss Being Friendly: Explain what it means to be friendly. Use examples that are easy for young scouts to understand, like smiling, sharing, or saying kind words.
• Role-Playing: Organize a short role-playing activity where scouts can act out different scenarios. For example, you could have one scout pretend to be new to the group, and another scout shows friendliness by inviting the new scout to play or sit with them.
• Games: Consider playing this Scout Law Game or providing this Scout Law Word Search Puzzle to further familiarize them with the Scout Law.
• Activities: Color some Compliment Cards and hand them out.

See additional resources for the Scout Law here.

Here are some options for fulfilling Lion Bobcat requirement 2:

• Friendship Zipper Pull
  • Cub Scouts will make a friendship zipper pull for another Cub Scout. 
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks, round key rings, key chain clips, paracord, plastic craft beads
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

• The Colorful Scout Law
  • Coloring activity for the Scout Law. 
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks, crayons
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep
• The Compliment Game
  • Everyone pays a compliment to each other in a game. 
  • Supplies: Lion Handbooks
  • indoor, very low energy, minimal prep

This requirement helps scouts understand and practice being friendly, which is a key part of the Scout Law and important for building positive relationships within the den.

Do Your Best

Share with your Lion adult partner, during a den meeting or at home, a time when you have demonstrated the Cub Scout motto “Do your Best”.

For requirement 3 of the Lion Bobcat adventure, each Lion Cub Scout should share a story about a time they did their best. Here’s how you can guide them through this process:

• Explain the Motto: Start by discussing the Cub Scout motto, “Do Your Best.” Explain that it means trying hard and giving your all, no matter the task. Even if you don’t succeed, you know you gave it your best effort.
• Prepare the Scouts: Give the scouts some time to think about a moment when they really tried their best. It could be at school, in sports, at home, or during another event.
• Sharing Time: During the den meeting, invite each scout to share their story. They should tell what happened, what they did, and how they felt about doing their best.
• Encouragement: After each scout shares, offer positive feedback and praise for their effort and attitude. Encourage the group to listen respectfully and clap after each story.

Here is an option for fulfilling Lion Bobcat requirement 3:

• When Am I Doing My Best?
  • Activity to help Cub Scouts identify what it means to do their best. 
  • Lion Handbooks, crayons
  • indoor, low energy, 1 to 3 days prep

This activity helps scouts recognize their own efforts and learn from the experiences of others. It builds confidence and reinforces the importance of always doing your best.

Parent’s Guide

At home, with your parent or legal guardian do the activities in the booklet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide.”

For requirement 4 of the Lion Bobcat adventure, the scouts need to complete activities from the booklet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” at home with their parents or legal guardians. As this activity is done outside of regular den meetings, here’s how you can ensure it is completed effectively:

• Inform the Parents: Make sure all parents are aware of this requirement. You can send a text or email explaining the importance of the booklet and how it helps protect children. Include a link to the booklet so they can easily access it.
• Explain the Activity: Briefly explain what the booklet covers and why it’s important for parents to go through it with their scouts. Emphasize that this activity supports the scouts’ safety and well-being.
• Set a Deadline: Give parents a deadline to complete the activities with their scouts. This keeps everyone on track and ensures the requirement is met in a timely manner.
• Follow-Up: After the deadline, check in with parents to confirm they have completed the activity. This can be done through a quick conversation at the next den meeting or via a response in the email.

Here is an option for fulfilling Lion Bobcat requirement 4:

By keeping parents informed and involved, you help ensure that this important activity is carried out effectively, supporting the safety education of each scout.

Before any activity, check the SAFE Checklist to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone involved in Scouting America activities should know the Guide to Safe Scouting and other relevant guides or books. Also follow any state or local rules that are more strict than Scouting America rules and guidelines.

Watch the Craft Tips video before starting a craft.

Before the Adventure:

During the Adventure:

• Teach everyone how to use the tools safely before starting the project.
• Keep watching and guiding everyone closely while working on the project.
• Follow all instructions from the tool manufacturers and the strictest safety rules if there’s a disagreement between guidelines.

See complete safety information here.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Lion Bobcat Adventure

What is the Lion Bobcat adventure?

The Lion Bobcat adventure is the first badge that Lion Cub Scouts earn. It introduces them to the values of scouting and helps them start learning about leadership and good character.

Who needs to complete the Lion Bobcat adventure?

Every new Lion Cub Scout needs to complete the Lion Bobcat adventure. It’s an essential part of beginning their scouting journey.

What are the main goals of the Lion Bobcat adventure?

The main goals are to help scouts learn about the Scout Law, understand the importance of being friendly, and practice doing their best in everything they do.

How long does it take to complete the Lion Bobcat adventure?

The time it takes can vary. It depends on how often the den meets and how the activities are scheduled. Generally, it can be done in a single den meeting.

Where do parents find the booklet for requirement 4?

Parents can get the booklet “How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide” from the Scouting website.

Can the Lion Bobcat adventure be done at home?

Most of the adventure is done in den meetings, but requirement 4 must be done at home with a parent or legal guardian.

What should den leaders do to support scouts in completing the Lion Bobcat adventure?

Den leaders should explain each requirement clearly, organize activities that help meet these requirements, and keep parents informed, especially about activities that need to be done at home.

What happens after completing the Lion Bobcat adventure?

After completing the Lion Bobcat adventure, scouts will receive a belt loop to recognize their achievement. They can then start working on other adventures in the Lion Cub Scout program.

Wrapping Up the Lion Bobcat Adventure

The Lion Bobcat adventure starts young Lion Cub Scouts on their scouting path. It teaches them what it means to be a scout and introduces them to important scouting principles like the Scout Law. These concepts help scouts learn to be kind, helpful, and responsible.

This adventure also helps Cub Scouts make friends in their den. They do activities together, share stories about trying their best, and learn how to stay safe. Making friends is important because it makes scouting more fun and supportive.

For den leaders, the Lion Bobcat adventure is a chance to teach new scouts the basics of scouting. It’s a time to help new Cub Scouts and their families feel welcome and part of the group. Leaders help make sure scouts understand and learn from the adventure.

In the end, the Lion Bobcat adventure is an important first step for scouts. It gives them the skills they need to grow into confident and caring people. Starting with this adventure, scouts and their families begin a journey that brings lots of learning and fun.